Ville Aslak
Raasakka
Ville Aslak Raasakka is a Finnish composer specialized in ecology. His works are based on bioacoustic recordings, environmental research and data from macroalgae, coal mines, soil insects, oil rigs, tree roots, power plants and marine microbes.
In 2026-27 Raasakka works on commissions for the Rainy days Festival (Philharmonie Luxembourg), Yarn/Wire (New York City), Riot Ensemble (London), Annette Bik (Klangforum Wien), Neue Vocalsolisten (Stuttgart) and the United Instruments of Lucilin (Luxembourg).
"The world premiere by Ville Raasakka picks up to denounce the lack of forest protection in Finland. 'The Harvest' lets a chainsaw massacre roar."
– Christoph Irrgeher, Wiener Zeitung
"An independent and convincing voice"
– Michael Rebhahn, Neue Zeitschirft für Musik
Engagements in 2025-2027
BBC Symphony Orchestra // London, United Kingdom
Anssi Karttunen & Magnus Lindberg // Angers, France
Rainy days Festival // Philharmonie Luxembourg
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival // United Kingdom
Yarn/Wire // New York City, United States
United Instruments of Lucilin // Luxembourg
Riot Ensemble // United Kingdom
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity // Banff, Canada
Neue Vocalsolisten // Stuttgart, Germany
ISCM World New Music Days // Lisbon, Portugal
Mivos Quartet // New York City, United States
Lorelei Dowling, bassoon, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
London Design Museum // London, United Kingdom
Kaisa Kortelainen, flute // Helsinki, Finland
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra // Turku, Finland
Annette Bik, violin, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
Chamber Orchestra Avanti! // Helsinki, Finland
Profile article written by journalist and musicologist
Tim Rutherford-Johnson (UK) for the
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival hcmf//
Upcoming Works
Thermal Movement for Thirteen (2026) 20'
for 13 Percussionist and Text Projection by
Media Theorist Jussi Parikka
Commissioned by the Philharmonie Luxembourg & Rainy days Festival for the Yarn Wire (New York), the Riot Ensemble (London)
and the United Instruments of Lucilin (Luxembourg)
The Spider Listens with its Legs (2027-28) 30'
A Series of Studies for Violin
Commissioned by Annette Bik (Klangforum Wien), Vienna, Austria
New Work for Vocal Ensemble (2027)
for 7 Singers
Commissioned by the Neue Vocalsolisten (Stuttgart) and
Festival ECLAT (Stuttgart)
The Moss Slowly Growing (2026)
Album of Chamber Works for Flute
Kaisa Kortelainen (FI), flute, Tuija Hakkila (FI), piano and Petri Kumela (FI), guitar
Wolf at the Door (2014/27)
for Two Violins, After Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade (1887)
Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen, violins
Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival
➞ Minna Pensola & Antti Tikkanen (FI)
What is it Like to be a Bat? (2027)
for Ensemble of 11 Musicians, more info t.b.a., Finland and Switzerland
Values of Darkness (2027) 60'
Music for a contemporary dance work, Petri Kekoni Company, Erkko Hall, Dance House Helsinki
New Versions of Existing Works (2018-27)
Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, Hong Kong
The Weaver (2027) 80'
Opera on a Novel by Emmi Itäranta,
Commissioned by Ooppera Skaala, Helsinki
Everyday etudes No. 5: laundry (2028)
for Cello, Laundry and Electronics
Commissioned by Iida-Vilhelmiina Sinivalo
The Language of Fungi (2028-29)
Concerto for Microtonal Guitar and Orchestra
Commissioned by Petri Kumela
Music for a Documentary Film (2028)
Documentary Film on Disabilities
New Work (2029)
for Mixed Choir, more info t.b.a.
New Work (2029-30)
Opera, more info t.b.a.